Quickly list the classes you had at school where maps are at the core of what you were learning. If you listed History and Geography - great! That is what I also thought before I started taking online courses at National Geographic to enrich my English teaching.
I used to think that mind maps and thinking maps were the closest I'd get to using maps in my lessons, other than maybe the odd comprehension including a map or looking at maps in literary texts. Now I use them to help my students connect with their learning at a deeper level.
We explore Shakespeare by looking at the world he lived in and where he decided to 'place' his characters. We compare setting of the past to setting of the now, giving my students unique insight into the varied perspectives that influenced people in the past and present times.
We've also used maps to plan ahead. My 9th Graders have to go on an annual hike of self-discovery. Taking them out of their comfort zones and into a strange and mystical place called 'The Outdoors' where they have to fend for themselves and take care of each other. This year we prepared for the hike ahead of time by using Google Maps.
We explored the creation of story maps in The Tempest and used maps to recreate Prospero's Island, telling the story of the strange goings-on during the 'shipwreck'.
We used maps to explore Mars and decided that, as an adventure it would be great, but we'd rather clean up our own planet than move all together....(Sorry Elon!)
We used maps to create data visualisations to show how our food choices affect our planet and mapped methane emitters based on agriculture and permafrost thaw.
We learned about the Trench Wars of WWI and used maps to create a story from the point of view of a 19-year-old soldier joining the fray.
There is so much to do and learn from maps and they provide a multitude of opportunities for in depth learning -especially if students create their own!
Where to next?
Learning how to use ArcGIS and creating true story maps in 2020!
Here are some handy links to mapping resources you might find useful:
2. ArcGIS
5. Animaps
Enjoy exploring amps and bringing them into your own subject - whether it is Maths, Science or Phys Ed!
Happy teaching!
